The Phantom Roughing-The-Passer Call

October 9th, 2022

Bucs catch massive break.

Joe has to call it like he sees it. And the Bucs, for some reason while inviting the Dixie Chicks to pull off a galling upset win in the final minutes, were given the greatest of gifts that allowed the Bucs to kill the final three minutes of the game.

With a third-and-five on the Atlanta-47 with just over three minutes left, Tom Brady was sacked by Dixie Chicks’ defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. But no! There was a flag on the field. The Bucs were awarded a first down as Jarrett was nailed for roughing-the-passer.

Joe watched the replay several times. How the hell was that roughing-the-passer? That play looked clean as could be.

What the hell happened? Joe thought Jarrett must have kicked Brady or stomped on a hand or something. Everyone near Joe in The Licht House press box was convinced a terribly blown call bailed out the Bucs.

So Joe cornered Playoff Lenny after the game and asked what Jarrett did to warrant a flag? Did he kick Brady? Did he stomp on Brady? Did he hurt Brady’s feelings in some way by invoking trash talk about a certain supermodel from Brazil?

Joe wanted to know.

Playoff Lenny sort of admitted he didn’t think it wasn’t really roughing in the traditional sense, but welcome to the modern NFL, Playoff Lenny said. Quarterbacks are protected, sometimes ridiculously so.

“The game has changed,” Playoff Lenny said. “You can’t slam a quarterback. They expect you to lay off them.”

Essentially, that “slam” is why the flag was thrown, referee Jerome Boger told NFL pool reporter Greg Auman of The Athletic after the game.

“What I had was the defender [Jarrett] grabbed the quarterback [Brady] while he was still in the pocket,” Boger explained. “And [Jarrett] unnecessarily throwing [Brady] to the ground.

“That is what I was making my decision based on.”

Look, Joe is happy as hell that call was made. In Joe’s eyes, the Bucs’ defense was so worn out, they couldn’t stop the Dixie Chicks on the ground late in the game.

When the flag was thrown, Atlanta coach Artie Smith reacted as if someone told him one of his children was hit by a car. He was in stunned and complete disbelief.

Joe told Playoff Lenny the flag was like the way the NBA used to protect Michael Jordan. Playoff Lenny laughed and responded, “Yeah, definitely.”

82 Responses to “The Phantom Roughing-The-Passer Call”

  1. A Bucs Fan Says:

    It was a make up for missing the Scotty Miller DPI.

  2. SC Bucs Fan Says:

    The play before Miller got mugged so the world righted itself.

  3. Anonymous Says:

    “Brady Rules”

  4. PassingThru Says:

    The refs were pretty awful. The roughing the passer penalty was clearly a blown call, just as these blind fools missed the pass interference call one play prior.

  5. Alex Says:

    Completely agree, it all evened out after the non- PI call on Scotty.

  6. FrontFour Says:

    C’mon guys. It was a clear make up call for the no call for the PI against Scotty Miller on the previous play. Refs make that call and we’re in scoring position. If the refs get BOTH call right the Bucs come out ahead. Not a gift when they missed the first one.

  7. Bucfan1988 Says:

    Yep, exactly!!

    The play RIGHT BEFORE was the OBVIOUS DPI on Scotty Miller’s guy that didn’t get called.

    They fixed it with this play…

    OFFICIATING SUCKS!!!

  8. Da Bucs Guy Says:

    At least one Joe is being realistic. Shame to see games taken away from the players on the field like that.

  9. steele Says:

    Phantom is right. Clean sack by Jarrett.

  10. Mike Says:

    Definitely a make up call for that blatant no call on PI, but I’m not complaining. We’ll take it.

  11. SB~LV Says:

    It was a HORRIBLE call !

  12. Bobby M. Says:

    Entire NFL is on notice….don’t create another concussion. Bridgewater was held out in Dolphins game.

  13. Bucsfan13 Says:

    Brady’s shoulder is worse than being reported! It was noticeable in the Chiefs’ game and this game. I know he won’t admit it, but it’s obvious. A rotator cuff injury is serious. I will say I’m more impressed that he’s only had one pick through five games.

    Someone needs to ask the coaches if they think Brady’s shoulder is affecting him.

  14. Francisco Guzman Says:

    Bad call but so was the non call on scotty miller. That likely would have ended the game.

  15. Dewey Selmon Says:

    The Tua effect combined with GOAT equals great call! These used to go against us.

  16. #8 Says:

    Suh.

  17. Anonymous Says:

    @A Bucs Fan Says:
    October 9th, 2022 at 5:52 pm
    It was a make up for missing the Scotty Miller DPI.

    Totally agree!

  18. adam from ny Says:

    just file it under the brady rules*

    #BeGrateful

    #DontEvenThinkAboutTouchingTommyBee

  19. KnoxvilleBuc Says:

    I’m happy the call was made but damn that was pathetic. The PI call on them was ridiculous a few plays before it. Yes, the Miller play on the sideline could/should have been a flag but overall the game was poorly officiated all around. The game is changing so much and yes player safety is the priority but this game is not built for it. I just don’t want the integrity of the game to diminish and it certainly has the last decade.

  20. Kentucky Buc Says:

    The words been sent down from the league. They’re not going to let you slam QBs like that after what happened to Tua. Like it or not.

  21. Buc4evr Says:

    Clean sack, but I don’t care. The Bucs have been jobbed for decades by the Refs. Lol.

  22. Francisco Guzman Says:

    People need to watch the replay. Seemed liked he swung him hard to the turf.

  23. Goatfarmer Says:

    Did anyone ask Boger about the obvious DPI against Scotty right before Brady getting slammed? Because that was blatant and not called. Game over. So tough noogies Fowlclowns.

  24. Kentucky Buc Says:

    Also watch the very end when he rolls up on top of Brady. Unnecessary . Don’t get me wrong I’d rather they let them play old school but that’s never coming back.

  25. Greg Says:

    Yep! What “ABUCSFAN” said… I makeup call for the missed PI play just before this play. The guy was all over Scotty.

  26. Ricardo Says:

    Goedeke has been a liability for 2weeks now. For all we talk about opening the pass up, Brady has to feel the pressure up the middle.

  27. HC Grover Says:

    it was a good call.

  28. Bucs Win Says:

    Speaking of phantoms, did Jill Tryon-shoyinka play today?

  29. Old School Bucs Says:

    Bowles responded with great comment on the play. A couple weeks ago they called the same play on Tua, and then again in the morning game in England. So Atlanta sympathisers and Brady haters can suck on that. This Tampa media just doesnt know their subject matter….Football. And they just hate Brady! Too bad. Hey Tampa media dont complain to us. How about calling roger goodell. He is the one turning the game into flag football!!!

  30. Goatfarmer Says:

    Goedeke was the rook who got abused. Grady Jarrett made Goedeke his own personal B!otch.

  31. JimmyJack Says:

    It was 2 horse crap calls to extend our final drive. Ill be honest. I dont like winning a hame like that. Falcons earned the ball back.

    Tennesse 2019. Games that end like that stick with ya. So i dont feel sorry for Falcons fans. Join the club. And have fun tsking our place in the cellar.

  32. Buc4lyfe79 Says:

    Atleast with Jarrett’s penalty he tackled Brady to the ground, unlike the call made against Vea going into halftime who simply bumped into Mariota and knocked him backwards into the ground.

  33. Irishmist Says:

    The Boger giveth, and the Boger taketh away.

  34. Bucsfan13 Says:

    Goedeke is gonna get Brady killed!! I’ve seen enough of the rookie. Time to give Walton a chance. Defenses are targeting Brady’s shoulder.

  35. Pelsbuc61 Says:

    There’s something off about this team this year. Bucs really miss Gronk and Suh. Oline is a work in progress and defense is inconsistent at best. The signing of Julio Jones, Hicks and Rudolph have been total waste of money and Gage is overrated. Whatever happened to RBs Bernard and Vaughn?

  36. RandsABucFan Says:

    Finally ….a gift for the good guys!

  37. Doc Says:

    News around the league was Brady kicked the defender. Rumors has it that Brady threaten to hit the ref with a tablet if he did make the call. Sad day for Pro Football

  38. IDROOLPEWTER&RED Says:

    The refs have been horrible so far. Not an easy job, but come on! Missing two PIs made against the same player?

  39. David Says:

    It was a BS call but it all evens out. Roughing the passer called on VEA was a BS call as well.
    The hold against Atlanta on Mike Evans was BS. The non-call on the deep ball to Scotty Miller was completely missed.

    So basically ATL can complain and whine all they want but the calls even out just like they do almost every game

  40. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    To be honest, I HATE it when we benefit from a BS call like that. Because now we are going to have to hear about it for a week.

  41. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    Good points above about no-calls that went against us.

    2 deep PI calls against Miller.

  42. Denny Gay Says:

    The Bucs have been on the other side of that call many many times. Nice to be on that side of the fence.

  43. Winny Testaverde Says:

    Miller never gets PI calls…and he gets roughed up quite a bit. Brady needs to cool it on the hissy fits/kicks…and I love the guy as The Bucs QB.

  44. Howard Cosell Says:

    Howard will reiterate that Scooter got flagrant face-guarding grevious pass interference on the previous play. Howard was screaming at his tv after Scooter was mugged and knifed and the idiot refs didn’t call it.
    It should have been 1st and 10 at the Birds 5 yard line…..
    So in the grand scheme of things the Bucs got robbed of points even with the makeup roughing the passer call.
    Terrible officiating. Warden Goodell must be embarrassed.

  45. Bucsfan13 Says:

    Joe, We gotta make a change at LG. Goedeke had his trial run. He’s not it. It’s time for Brandon Walton. Brady is already injured.

  46. firethecannons Says:

    on the falcons touchdown there was an egregious hold on Antoine Winfield which was obvious and should of been called, allowing them to score

  47. Sumosam Says:

    Brady still has his arm strength and accuracy but he is frail. Everyone knows that so he is protected maybe a little more. No one wants to see him hurt including the entire NFL fan base. It’s a good call if you look at it that way but it is not the football we grew up with.

  48. Coburn Says:

    Bs take imo. Clearly a make-up call. The sack doesn’t matter if they don’t allow the guy to throws himself into miller before the ball on the play before. The pi ices the game

  49. Old School Bucs Says:

    Down memory lane and losing on BS calls…..last year playoffs against LA. Brady making come back and the absolute mugging on Evans but no call! I believe cost us the game. Refs came up with some BS 4th down no call rule which basically makes it legal to PI on 4th down!!! Just make it up as you go to get LA into the superbowl. So let’s not talk about winning on BS calls. The call today, ad Bowles pointed out serms to be the new thing on QB play this year. They are not going to allow the whip the QB play anymore!

  50. bucsince79 aka bumanner Says:

    He never slowed his roll on that slam… Good Call… Scotty Miller was Mugged the previous play…

  51. Howard Cosell Says:

    WRT the Scooter pass interference from the previous play:
    The defender wasn’t playing the ball at all. He was throwing up his arms wildly with his back to the ball.
    On WHAT PLANET is that NOT pass interference?!?

    Bucs should have had the ball at the birds 5 yard line 1st and 10.
    IN the grand scheme we still lost points even with the makeup gift.

    Embarrassing display by the refs

  52. Bucsfan13 Says:

    Offense has been bad league wide. It’s just not our team.

  53. Da Bucs Guy Says:

    He was “mugged” because Scotty Miller stopped running because Brady under threw the deep ball again. They will never call that a Pass Interference.

  54. BigMacAttack Says:

    Atlanta got away with a lot of blatant holds especially on the one TD play. Vita made a stupid Roughing penalty but he barely touched the QB. The slam was much worse. All NFL refs suck. This game was poorly officiated all the way around for both sides. Even the idiot holding the ball at the end of the first half. There is no accountability for officials and they change outcomes of games as they quite possibly did today. I understand a defender turning around at the point a pass comes in, but blatantly running over the receiver is wrong because he has the same right to go for the ball. It happened twice to Miller. I have seen our opponents on defense line up in thee neutral zone at least 6 or 7 times this year, including today on a punt. It hasn’t been called one time, yet they used to call JPP for it constantly. All refs suck.

  55. Coburn Says:

    Bs that it was because Scotty slowed. The guy left his feet and shoulder checked him. Watch it again

  56. Bucsfan13 Says:

    Dallas D is for real. We’ve played some great defenses. Fans were outraged when we didn’t put up 30 against them

  57. Coburn Says:

    And yeah on their second TD varrett was held right from the snap and was creeping towards Mariota with a guy holding him the whole way. A fee of those. Also a blatant Atlanta guy launching himself at our returner long after the whistle while two other Falcons wert already there holding onto our guy just as they were letting him go

  58. Todd Says:

    If I were a pro NFL referee,
    Who just screwed #10 Scotty,
    My conscience just wouldn’t be right,
    Knowing my family received 50-yard
    line tickets from Jason Licht.
    So let me pull out my little yellow flag,
    When Tim Brady was thrown like a defenseless old rag,
    Now the world is right because of my previous wrong,
    So SUCK IT Falcon fans, go smoke some weed with Cheech and Chong!

  59. Bojim Says:

    Bad call.

  60. Francisco Guzman Says:

    Bucsfan13 stop assuming about Brady’s injury.

  61. Doc Says:

    The NFL should suspend the ref’s first thing Monday moring to keep the intergirty of the game.

  62. Howard Cosell Says:

    Da Bucs Guy Says:
    October 9th, 2022 at 7:06 pm

    He was “mugged” because Scotty Miller stopped running because Brady under threw the deep ball again. They will never call that a Pass Interference.

    Oh! I’m sorry but that is incorrect!
    The defender wasn’t playing the ball at all. He was throwing up his arms wildly
    with his back to the ball. That is textbook pass interference.
    Thanks for playing! We have a wonderful consolation prize for you: It’s a Falcons mini-helmet and a king size bag of Doritos!

  63. Howard Cosell Says:

    Glad the Bucs won…but 2 wrongs don’t make a right

  64. lambchop Says:

    This is the Tua effect. The NFL wants to handle this carefully as the Tua situation was handled poorly, although that was entirely the fault of Miami. But, Chris Olave got Tua’d today too on the same type of tackle.

    It’s going to be addressed the entire season. I heard Freirmuth got his bell rung too today, but I haven’t watched that yet to see how it happened.

  65. David Says:

    Howard Cosell

    Correct.
    DA BUCS GUY might be confusing The other long pass to Miller when the defender got around to look for the ball. That was a great defensive play.

    The second time he went deep he was clearly interfered with and knocked out of bounds. It does not matter if it is underthrown, the receiver has the right to slow up and go for the ball. The defender can’t just run through him.

    VEA got called for roughing the passer when he barely bumped Mariota. So, whatever. It all evens out

  66. JBBUCS_06 Says:

    We have got to learn to finish games so that a blown DPI doesn’t cost us the game nor do we need a bailout call by the refs. I’ll take the W. Time to move on to the Steelers who’ll be thirsty for a win after getting monkey stomped today.

  67. Coburn Says:

    Oh yeah and what about the two horrible spots in back to back plays? Before the turnover in downs

  68. TAMPA BAY DEMON™ Says:

    SC Bucs Fan Says:
    “The play before Miller got mugged so the world righted itself.”
    _____________

    Know what? You just might be right about that.
    We see it in the NHL, all the time.
    Ok sweet. That works SC. I will take it, lol.

  69. TAMPA BAY DEMON™ Says:

    Bucs Win Says:
    “Speaking of phantoms, did Jill Tryon-shoyinka play today?”
    ____________

    He had a SACK…. and a couple of close-calls.
    Still alot of work to do, but it was a big improvement.

  70. Love them Bucs Says:

    Disappointed that ESPN is writing this call as if it reversed a pick six or something. Officials make mistakes, and they made 2 huge ones in a row , but Marcus Mariotto is not Joe Montana if they had to punt. To expect some sort of guarantee that he would drive the Falcons 80 yards in less than 3 minutes with 1 timeout.

    The script is being rewritten.

  71. Bucsfan13 Says:

    @Guzman. I’m not assuming. His shoulder is obviously affecting him. Remember he covered up that torn MCL injury in 2020. I don’t trust anything coming out of Brady’s mouth about any injury. He’s lying through his teeth about that shoulder and finger injury. It won’t get any better if Goedeke keeps getting beat and defenders get a free shot on him.

  72. JimbobBucfan Says:

    Don’t forget that Vita Vea got a personal foul when he chest bumped Mariota because he could not stop his momentum after getting past his blocker.

    Both calls represent the super careful ones the NFL is apparently indoctrinating the refereees with these days’ The game ain’t like it used to be in many, many aspects.

    Go Bucs!

  73. Replacement_ref Says:

    “When the flag was thrown, Atlanta coach Artie Smith reacted as if someone told him one of his children was hit by a car. He was in stunned and complete disbelief.”-lmao

  74. Goatfarmer Says:

    The more the world goes against Brady the better. As long as Gezzahag doesn’t do something public that distracts Tom, we’re fine.

  75. My Momma Says:

    Ricardo Says:
    October 9th, 2022 at 6:21 pm

    “Goedeke has been a liability for 2weeks now. For all we talk about opening the pass up, Brady has to feel the pressure up the middle.”

    “Bucsfan13 Says:
    October 9th, 2022 at 6:28 pm
    Goedeke is gonna get Brady killed!! I’ve seen enough of the rookie. Time to give Walton a chance. Defenses are targeting Brady’s shoulder.”

    Bucsfan13 Says:
    October 9th, 2022 at 6:49 pm
    “Joe, We gotta make a change at LG. Goedeke had his trial run. He’s not it. It’s time for Brandon Walton. Brady is already injured.”

    Umm, my Momma says Joe would do well to politely ask Jason Licht why Goedeke is still playing in light of his performance and risking injury to Brady.

  76. Sorryjackchuckiesback Says:

    It was to make up for like three pass interference calls they didn’t make, I saw the falcons holding on dang near every play (a penalty that doesn’t seem to exist anymore) … The refs messed this game up with more than just the roughing the passer call… Which yes, was NONSENSE!! Just put a flag on the QB like flag football and get it over with

  77. steele Says:

    Brady’s kick reminded me of him kicking Ed Reed. Not good moments, GOAT.

  78. Bucschamp Says:

    Jarret could have just held Brady or shoved him to the ground but instead he slammed him. I think slam is the proper word. If you look at the vid Brady’s helmet was close to hitting the ground. If this was tua or Mahomes this is automatic concussion.

  79. Bucsfan13 Says:

    @Bucschamp. They knew he had a bad shoulder. That slam was on purpose. If his head hit the ground, people would still complain. I don’t like the call, but I’m sick of analysts and fans whining about it. They will complain about this call all year

  80. Cobraboy Says:

    The “Tua Rule” is the New NFL.

  81. German Buc Says:

    The game was horribly officiated anyway. Missed calls, concession calls, phantom calls – but always the last one is singled out.

  82. JimbobBucfan Says:

    I’ve heard speculation that the NFL has ordered those kinds of calls in order to protect the QBs.

    Go Bucs!